Is E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream the budget moisturizer that can replace your pricier jar? Here is a practical, field-tested review with texture notes, performance tips, and clear guidance on who it suits best.
Overview
E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream is a mid-weight moisturizer designed to deliver long-lasting hydration without a greasy feel. It comes in two non-SPF versions most shoppers consider side by side: the original, which has a light scent, and a fragrance-free option for sensitive skin. There is also a separate SPF version, but this review focuses on the standard non-SPF cream. What sets Holy Hydration apart at its price is a well-rounded formula that blends humectants and emollients with popular support ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, squalane, and provitamin B5. The result is a soft, cushiony cream that absorbs quickly, leaves a healthy glow, and layers easily under makeup.
The jar holds 1.8 ounces and typically retails at a budget-friendly price, often under what a single ounce costs from many department store creams. E.l.f. is cruelty-free and vegan, which may matter to you if you shop with those values in mind. The main downside is jar packaging, which is less tidy than a pump and exposes formula to air when open. If you care about hygiene, a small cosmetic spatula is a simple fix.
Across two weeks of daily use in dry office air and a cooler climate, the cream consistently softened tight, flaky areas and kept skin comfortable for a full workday. It is not a heavy occlusive balm, but it does more than a whisper-thin gel. For many normal to dry skin types, that middle ground is the sweet spot.
Who it’s for
Consider E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream if you fit any of these profiles:
- Normal to dry skin that needs dependable, all-day hydration without a filmy or greasy finish.
- Combination skin that prefers a richer cream at night and a lighter hand in the T-zone during the day.
- Sensitive skin that prefers fragrance-free formulas. Choose the fragrance-free version. It is the same feel, minus scent.
- Makeup wearers who want a moisturizer that smooths dry patches and sits well under primer and foundation.
- Value-focused shoppers who want recognizable ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides at a reasonable price.
It can work for oily skin, especially as a night cream or during colder months, but you may want to use a small amount and focus on drier areas. Very oily or acne-prone skin that struggles with rich creams should patch test first and may prefer a lighter gel texture in the morning.
How it feels and performs
Texture and scent: The texture is a soft, bouncy cream that melts across the skin with little effort. It is not a jelly gel and not a dense balm. The original version has a subtle, clean scent that fades quickly. The fragrance-free version is truly unscented other than a light base note you will notice only during application.
Absorption and finish: On clean, slightly damp skin, it spreads easily, sinks in within a minute, and leaves a satin to dewy finish that is comfortable rather than sticky. If your skin is very dry, the cream creates a nice cushion that reduces the look of micro-flakes. If your skin runs combination or oily, you can dial back the amount and press it in so the finish stays more satin.
Hydration longevity: Expect 8 to 12 hours of comfort on normal to dry skin in moderate climates. In very dry indoor heat, the cream still kept tightness away through the afternoon, especially when layered over a hydrating serum. Overnight, the cream holds up well. You will wake up with skin that feels soft and calm rather than waxy or heavy.
Layering under makeup: This is one of the product’s strengths. After allowing it to settle for 2 to 3 minutes, primer and foundation glide on without pilling in most cases. If you are layering multiple silicone-heavy products, pilling can happen with too much product. Using a pea to nickel sized amount and giving each layer a short set time solves it. The cream smooths texture and helps foundation resist clinging to dry patches.
Seasonal and climate use: In summer or humid weather, use a smaller amount and focus on cheeks and jawline. In winter or in an arid climate, the cream shows its value. It prevents that mid-morning tight feeling and reduces the need for mid-day misting or touch-ups. If you need more protection from wind or cold, you can seal it with a tiny amount of a thicker balm along the outer cheeks or nostrils.
How the ingredients help: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin attract water into the skin’s surface layers. Squalane and other silky emollients soften and reduce water loss. Niacinamide supports the barrier and can visibly refine look over time. Peptides add a nice supporting role for a smoother feel. Panthenol helps calm and condition. The overall blend favors daily comfort and a healthy-looking glow rather than dramatic resurfacing. That is exactly what most moisturizers should do.
Potential drawbacks: The original formula’s fragrance can bother very sensitive skin. The jar requires clean hands or a spatula. Although the formula is generally friendly for many skin types, those who are highly acne-prone should patch test to see how it behaves alongside their current routine.
How to use for best results
Start with clean skin and apply your water-based serums first. While skin is still slightly damp, smooth on E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream as your moisturizer step.
- How much: Use a pea to nickel sized amount for the full face and neck. Start smaller during the day if you wear makeup and add more where you feel dry.
- Application tips: Warm the cream between your fingertips and press it into the skin, then lightly glide to distribute. Pressing helps reduce pilling when layering with primer or sunscreen.
- Morning routine: Apply after serums and before sunscreen. Allow 2 to 3 minutes to set, then follow with a broad-spectrum SPF. Holy Hydration without SPF does not replace sunscreen.
- Evening routine: Apply after serums or retinoids. If your retinoid causes dryness, you can use the sandwich method by applying a thin layer of this cream before and after your treatment.
- Extra dry days: Layer the cream over a hydrating serum with glycerin or hyaluronic acid, then add a very small amount of an occlusive balm on cheeks to lock everything in.
- Acne-prone routine: Patch test on the cheek or jawline for several nights. If you use acne treatments, keep amounts modest and monitor for any congestion.
With consistent use, you will notice the surface of your skin feels softer and looks more even, especially in how makeup sits. Give it at least one to two weeks to see how it fits with your climate and other products.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable, cushiony texture that absorbs quickly and leaves a hydrated satin finish.
- Balances humectants and emollients for all-day comfort without heaviness.
- Plays well under makeup with minimal risk of pilling when applied in reasonable amounts.
- Available in an effective fragrance-free option for sensitive skin.
- Includes familiar support ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide, squalane, and panthenol.
- Excellent value for the performance compared to many higher priced creams.
- Cruelty-free and vegan.
Cons
- Original version contains fragrance that may irritate very sensitive skin.
- Jar packaging is less hygienic and exposes the formula to air when open. A spatula helps.
- May feel a touch rich for very oily skin during hot, humid months.
- Can pill if layered too thickly with multiple silicone-heavy products.
- No sun protection in the non-SPF version, so you still need a separate sunscreen in the morning.
Final verdict
E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream hits a useful middle ground. It is richer than a light gel, yet not so occlusive that it smothers the skin. The texture feels expensive, the finish is flattering, and the formula covers the essentials for daily barrier support. For normal to dry and many combination skin types, it is an easy, reliable choice that can replace a far pricier moisturizer. If you are sensitive to fragrance, reach for the fragrance-free version. If your skin is very oily, save it for nights or cooler seasons, or use a smaller amount only where you feel dry.
There are creams with more advanced packaging or niche actives, but few match this level of comfort and makeup compatibility at this price. If you want a straightforward moisturizer that makes your routine simpler, E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream is an excellent place to start.
See also
If you are comparing budget-friendly workhorses, our CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Review breaks down how it stacks up on barrier support, and the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream Review shows what you get when you spend more on peptide blends. For a luxe, oil-free feel that still hydrates well, the Tatcha The Water Cream Review: Who It’s For explains who benefits from that lighter texture.
Prefer a refreshing gel for humid weather or oily skin days? The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Review is a useful point of comparison, and if you want a richer, priming cream with a cushiony feel, the IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream Review can help you decide between that style and Holy Hydration.
FAQ
Is E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream good for sensitive skin?
Yes, many sensitive skin users do well with it, especially the fragrance-free version. The original has a light scent that some sensitive skin types prefer to avoid. If you are highly reactive, patch test on the jawline for several nights before applying to the full face.
What is the difference between the regular cream and the SPF version?
The standard Holy Hydration! Face Cream is a dedicated moisturizer without sun filters. The SPF version combines moisturizing ingredients with sun protection. If you choose the non-SPF cream for daytime, apply a separate broad-spectrum sunscreen as the last step in your morning routine.
Will this cream clog pores or cause breakouts?
The formula is generally friendly for many skin types and is not unusually heavy. That said, acne-prone skin can react to almost any moisturizer depending on the rest of the routine. Start with a small amount, avoid layering too many rich products at once, and patch test for a week to monitor how your skin responds.
Can I use E.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream around my eyes?
Yes. You can apply a small amount around the eye area. Its soft, cushiony texture sits well under concealer. If your eyes are sensitive, opt for the fragrance-free version and avoid getting the cream into the waterline.
How much should I use and how long does a jar last?
Most people do well with a pea to nickel sized amount for face and neck. Used once daily at that amount, the 1.8 ounce jar typically lasts 6 to 8 weeks. Using it twice daily or applying a thicker layer at night will shorten that window.
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